Killarney is a rural town and locality in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] It borders New South Wales.[4] In the 2021 census, the locality of Killarney had a population of 918 people.[1]
| Killarney Queensland | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 View of Killarney from the south | |||||||||||||||
  Killarney | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 28°20′02″S 152°17′46″E / 28.3338°S 152.2961°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 918 (2021 census)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 11.724/km2 (30.37/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1878 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4373 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 507 m (1,663 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 78.3 km2 (30.2 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Southern Downs Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Southern Downs | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Maranoa | ||||||||||||||
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Geography
editKillarney is located 35 kilometres (22 mi) south-east of Warwick on the Condamine River in the Darling Downs. Killarney is located about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from the Queensland/New South Wales border. It is close to Queen Mary Falls in the Main Range National Park, where Spring Creek plunges 40 metres (130 ft) into the valley.
Mountain View is a neighbourhood within the locality of Killarney (28°21′00″S 152°19′01″E / 28.350°S 152.317°E).[5]
Melrose is a neighbourhood within the locality of Killarney (28°21′36″S 152°15′14″E / 28.360°S 152.254°E); it is associated with the Melrose pastoral station.[6]
History
editThe Gidhabal (also known as Gidabal, Kitabal) language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Southern Downs Regional Council, particularly Warwick, Killarney and Woodenbong, extending into New South Wales.[7]
Killarney bordered on the northern boundaries of the Yetimarala people. Originally part of Canning Downs, established by the Leslie brothers in 1840, the development of the town was largely based on primary production and forestry.
The name of the district was chosen by the Hon. Peter Murray, who was visiting George Leslie at the Canning Downs pastoral station and commented that the scenery reminded him of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland.[8]
Killarney State School was established on 17 August 1874.[9] However, it was not until 1 January 1876 that teacher Gwyther Hill was appointed and students enrolled.[10][11]
The South Killarney town site was first surveyed in 1878, but the town already boasted several shops and services by this time. Many early settlers to Queensland selected land in the Killarney area with the first of these arriving in 1863. During the 1880s Killarney was described as "one of the most flourishing towns in Southern Queensland".[12]
The first Killarney Post Office opened on 1 July 1877 (a receiving office had been open from 1875). Killarney North Post Office opened on 26 June 1889 (replacing Killarney North Railway Station receiving office open from 1887) and was renamed North Killarney in 1897. In 1905 the Killarney office was renamed Killarney South, and the North Killarney office became the second Killarney office, due to the town having moved to near the railway station.[13]
A branch railway was built from Warwick in 1885. The line closed in 1964.[14]
Mountain View Provisional School opened circa 1886 and closed in 1892. In 1895, it reopened as Mountain View State School, finally closing on 4 July 1965.[9] It was at 11 Mountain View Road, Killarney (28°21′08″S 152°19′26″E / 28.3523°S 152.3238°E).[15][16][17]
A Methodist church opened in 1902.[18] In 1919, the church building was relocated to Brighton (near Sandgate).[19]
Melrose State School opened in 1910 and closed circa 1931.[9]
Wynola State School was established in 1935 at River Bank 7 miles (11 km) from the town of Killarney, following the discovery that several families in that district were illiterate.[20] It is presumed the school was in the vicinity of the Wynola pastoral station (28°18′47″S 152°21′00″E / 28.313°S 152.350°E) to the north-east of the town on the Condamine River Road.[6] The school building from the closed Melrose State School was relocated to establish the new school.[21][22] The school was officially opened on 19 October 1935 by John Healy, the Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Warwick.[23] The school closed circa 1941.[9]
The town was hit by a destructive tornado on Friday 22 November 1968, which destroyed many of the original buildings.[24][25] The main street buildings that survived the storm: the Butter Factory, the Co-op Building, Mackenzie's Emporium (now a Saint Vincent de Paul shop), former Commercial Bank (opposite the Post Office), the Post Office and the Killarney Hotel, hint at the town's former glory.[26] The former National bank building did survive the storm but was relocated to a suburb of Brisbane in 1977. The old Bank Vault foundation stones remain on the vacant block in the building's original location, adjacent to the St Vincent de Paul shop. November 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of this storm.[27]
Demographics
editIn the 2011 census, the locality of Killarney had a population of 984 people,[28] while the town of Killarney had a population of 773 people.[29]
In the 2016 census, the locality of Killarney had a population of 954 people.[30]
In the 2021 census, the locality as a whole had a population of 918 people,[1] while the town of Killarney had a population of 685 people.[31]
Economy
editThe local economy is underpinned by agriculture, transport and more recently tourism. Previously the abattoir was the largest employer (closed in February 2011).[32]
Water supply
editWater to the town is supplied from a small weir on Spring Creek.[citation needed] In April 2007, the Courier Mail newspaper reported that the town might have to be evacuated due to water shortages caused by years of extreme drought.[33] In January 2008 the Condamine River broke its banks after a week of steady rain and buildings in the main street were flooded.[34] Despite the problems created by the floods, the water was beneficial to the farmers who had been in difficulties due to drought conditions before the flood.[35]
Education
editKillarney P-10 State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep-10) school for boys and girls at Acacia Street (28°20′29″S 152°17′52″E / 28.3413°S 152.2978°E).[36][37] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 149 students with 15 teachers (14 full-time equivalent) and 14 non-teaching staff (11 full-time equivalent).[38] It includes a special education program.[36]
There is no secondary school in Killarney offering Years 11 and 12; the nearest secondary school offering Years 11 and 12 is in Warwick.[6]
Amenities
editThe Killarney Co-operative is Killarney's main street under one roof. Partially operating in the original Milward's General Store, originally established in 1913 as the Killarney Dairy Company, the Co-operative was formed in 1922 and remains community owned. In 2024, the "Co-op" was a department store boasting a post office, gifts, shoes, electrical, hardware, garden, agricultural supplies, supermarket, delicatessen and coffee shop.[citation needed]
Several key buildings remain in Willow St. The Killarney Post Office was built in 1905. The CWA building, formerly the School of Arts, was built in 1888 on stilts over Gravel Creek and is testament to how crowded the main street had become at the town's height. The historic Killarney Hotel is located in Willow St and is the third hotel to sit on this site.[26]
Killarney has many active community and sporting groups including the Killarney Area Promotion Association, the Killarney Show and Rodeo Society, the Killarney Recreation Club, the Killarney Men's Shed, The Killarney and District Historical Society, the CWA and RSL and the Lions Club.[citation needed]
The Killarney Recreation Club on the southern side of town was built with funds raised by the local community. Two sandstone horseheads at the entrance to the Polocrosse Fields and the "God of Sport Statue" in front of the Club were created by locally based sculptor Paul Stumkat.[citation needed]
The Killarney branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at 12 Willow Street. It celebrated its 100th anniversary in March 2024.[39]
Killarney also has a 60-bed aged care service (Killarney Memorial), medical practice, pharmacy, local pool, several cafes, newsagent and antique/second hand shops. Once a month the markets are held in the main street.[citation needed]
Attractions
edit
The five waterfalls surrounding Killarney make this area a popular scenic destination, the Teviot Falls, Queen Mary Falls, Dagg's Falls, Browns Falls and Upper Brown's Falls. During wet weather there are two additional falls, Black Fella Falls and Jack Brunton's Falls, which can be seen tumbling down the cliffs surrounding Killarney at the bottom of the Cambanoora Gorge.[citation needed]
The annual agricultural show; rodeos; various horse-related events; the Killarney Bonfire Night; the Border Ranges Trail Ride; the Pedal, Waddle and Saddle; and the Untamed Border Run are major events that attract substantial numbers of visitors to the town.[citation needed]
Climate
editKillarney has a cool subtropical climate, like most of inland south-east Queensland. Winters can be cold and frosty, while summers are warm but rarely hot.
| Climate data for Killarney, Queensland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 39.6 (103.3) |
39.3 (102.7) |
35.3 (95.5) |
33.1 (91.6) |
29.4 (84.9) |
24.3 (75.7) |
25.4 (77.7) |
30.0 (86.0) |
32.0 (89.6) |
36.0 (96.8) |
39.1 (102.4) |
38.9 (102.0) |
39.6 (103.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 29.4 (84.9) |
28.3 (82.9) |
26.8 (80.2) |
24.1 (75.4) |
20.5 (68.9) |
17.6 (63.7) |
17.0 (62.6) |
18.7 (65.7) |
21.9 (71.4) |
25.1 (77.2) |
27.7 (81.9) |
29.2 (84.6) |
23.9 (75.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 15.8 (60.4) |
15.9 (60.6) |
14.3 (57.7) |
10.2 (50.4) |
6.4 (43.5) |
3.5 (38.3) |
2.1 (35.8) |
2.7 (36.9) |
5.3 (41.5) |
9.1 (48.4) |
12.2 (54.0) |
14.3 (57.7) |
9.3 (48.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 9.4 (48.9) |
6.4 (43.5) |
3.3 (37.9) |
0.6 (33.1) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−8.2 (17.2) |
−7.8 (18.0) |
−6.0 (21.2) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
2.8 (37.0) |
4.3 (39.7) |
−8.2 (17.2) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 96.0 (3.78) |
87.7 (3.45) |
76.5 (3.01) |
46.4 (1.83) |
44.5 (1.75) |
45.4 (1.79) |
44.3 (1.74) |
31.6 (1.24) |
39.8 (1.57) |
64.0 (2.52) |
74.8 (2.94) |
92.9 (3.66) |
744.4 (29.31) |
| Average precipitation days | 9.6 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 7.4 | 7.4 | 7.0 | 6.3 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 7.5 | 8.3 | 9.5 | 93.7 |
| Source: Bureau of Meteorology[40] | |||||||||||||
Notable people
edit- Jackie Howe, champion shearer, born in Killarney
- Otto Madsen, politician
- Steph Hancock, footballer
- Rohan Hancock, footballer
References
edit- ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Killarney (QLD)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Killarney – town in Southern Downs Region (entry 18123)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- ^ "Killarney – locality in Southern Downs Region (entry 50081)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- ^ "Mountain View – unbounded locality in the Southern Downs Region (entry 23215)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
- ^ a b c "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
- ^
This Wikipedia article incorporates CC BY 4.0 licensed text from: "Gidhabal". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
- ^ "The Early Days". Warwick Examiner And Times. No. 4681. Queensland, Australia. 6 March 1915. p. 7. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b c d Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
- ^ "Agency ID 5388, Killarney State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
- ^ "History". Killarney P-10 State School. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ Killarney & District Historical Society, Memories of Killarney & District. Pg 7
- ^ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ The Killarney Branch Line Armstrong, J. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, August 1976 pp166-181
- ^ "Mountain View – unbounded locality in the Southern Downs Region (entry 23215)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
- ^ "Parish of Killarney sheet 2" (Map). Queensland Government. 1943. Archived from the original on 28 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "Queensland Two Mile series sheet 2m7 Stanthorpe" (Map). Queensland Government. 1932. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "METHODISM". Warwick Daily News. No. 5109. Queensland, Australia. 30 November 1935. p. 8. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "METHODISM". Warwick Daily News. No. 5109. Queensland, Australia. 30 November 1935. p. 8. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "WHY THEY ARE ILLITERATE". The Courier-mail. No. 520. Queensland, Australia. 30 April 1935. p. 12. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "ILLITERATE COLONY". Warwick Daily News. No. 4981. Queensland, Australia. 3 July 1935. p. 4. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ ""WYNOLA" STATE SCHOOL". Warwick Daily News. No. 5025. Queensland, Australia. 23 August 1935. p. 4. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "OPENING OF NEW SCHOOL". Warwick Daily News. No. 5074. Queensland, Australia. 19 October 1935. p. 3. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Oconnor, T (25 April 1998). "1968 The Year that Shook the World". The Courier-Mail. Vol. 2. p. 001. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
- ^ Brown, Jayden (23 November 2015). "The day a tornado smashed the Darling Downs". Warwick Daily News. Archived from the original on 9 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
- ^ a b Killarney & District Historical Society, Memories of Killarney & District.
- ^ Peter Gunders (21 November 2008). "Killarney commemorates fortieth anniversary of tornado". ABC Southern Queensland. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Killarney (SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Killarney (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Killarney (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Killarney (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ Condon, Jon (10 February 2010). "Pittsworth, Killarney abattoirs close". Queensland Country Life. Fairfax Agricultural Media. Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
- ^ Towns face drought death blow Archived 27 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine by Tuck Thompson. 26 April 2007. Retrieved on 28 April 2007.
- ^ Phillips, Amy (16 January 2008). "Floods bring relief to Killarney district". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012.
- ^ "The silver lining to summer's storm clouds". 7:30 Report. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 14 March 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ a b "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "Killarney P-10 State School". Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
- ^ "Branch Locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
- ^ "Climate Statistics for Killarney, Queensland". Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
External links
edit
- "Killarney". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.
- Town map of Killarney, 1976
